tag:,2016:blogdestructoidhttp://bulk2.destructoid.com/ele2/images/destructoid/favicon.ico2016-05-05T20:30:00Ztag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=359459Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenZynga might be worth less than its office2016-05-05T20:30:00Z2016-05-05T20:30:00Z<p>Zynga had a good run. A lot of people made a lot of money on shitty Facebook games. Now the company is looking to <a target="_blank" href="https://news.theregistrysf.com/zynga-to-put-headquarters-building-in-san-francisco-on-the-market/">offload</a> its 670,000 square foot headquarters in downtown San Francisco. Funny thing about that math, though.</p>
<p>When Zynga bought the building in 2012 for $228 million ($340 per square foot) it got a relative deal. San Francisco office space currently sells for over $800 per square foot, or two and a half times what Zynga bought it for (~$570 million). Also an average studio apartment rents for $2,400 a month and rent prices are expected to rise 10.5% before the end of 2016, if you're curious about one reason why my life is a living nightmare.</p>
<p>The company itself, despite about $1.5 billion in cash on hand, was considered worth less than $750 million <a target="_blank" href="https://allthingsd.com/20130604/with-1-6-billion-in-cash-zynga-is-now-worth-less-than-750-million-to-investors/">three years ago</a> and these days it's closer to $500 million -- which is less than the building it occupies is worth. Shares were worth $10 a pop in 2011 during Zynga's initial public offering; they are currently sitting at $2.55 each. Turns out <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-lost-half-of-its-active-users-in-the-last-year-273820.phtml">Don Mattrick couldn't save Zynga after all</a>.</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/359459-blarb.jpg" alt="Zynga might be worth less than its office screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=314858Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorZynga is now gamifying ads with branded levels2015-10-10T14:00:00Z2015-10-10T14:00:00Z<p>Zynga, the company that brought you <em>FarmVille</em> and drove&nbsp;<em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-shutting-down-draw-something-developer-omgpop-255326.phtml" target="_blank">Draw Something</a></em> into the ground, has found a new way to force advertisements into its cancerous products: sponsored levels.</p>
<p>The evil corporate Mary Poppins' new business strategy takes the spoonful of sugar approach, allowing users to play branded levels, rather than sit through lengthy promotional videos.</p>
<p>Clorox has already taken advantage of the new "Sponsored Play" initiative, creating a <em>FarmVille: Harvest Swap</em> level that tasks players with collecting ingredients for salad dressing while promoting its Hidden Valley Ranch<span>&reg;</span> brand. Meanwhile, PepsiCo subsidiary Naked Juice has offered players in-game currency in exchange for harvesting fruit in sponsored levels and tweeting about it.</p>
<p>Sponsored Play was designed by a new internal group at Zynga to attract advertisers and help subsidize its suite of free-to-play games. Speaking with <a target="_blank" href="https://adage.com/article/digital/zynga-sell-sponsored-levels-created-house-agency/300825/">Ad Age</a>, Zynga VP of Sales Julie Shumaker referred to the scheme as "product placement at scale," while noting the plan's insidious potential to build brand engagement with players by presenting it in the "native environment" of the game.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://adage.com/article/digital/zynga-sell-sponsored-levels-created-house-agency/300825/">Zynga starts selling sponsored levels created by in-house agency</a> [Advertising Age]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/314858-zynga.jpg" alt="Zynga is now gamifying ads with branded levels screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=290192Robert Summahttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Robert+SummaDon Mattrick stays winning, to be replaced at Zynga2015-04-08T16:00:00Z2015-04-08T16:00:00Z<p>After not even two years into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/don-mattrick-to-turn-zynga-around-with-business-clich-s-258784.phtml">his tenure</a> at Zynga, it appears Don Mattrick is being replaced as CEO. According to the <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/wsj/status/585896827704254464">Wall Street Journal</a>, Mattrick did such a great job, that the people of Zynga decided he needed a break and brought back their previous CEO and founder, Mark Pincus, to the position.</p>
<p>What's next for Mattrick? How about a return to Microsoft? If he's already got the millions, then why even bother? Just retire into the sunset. I know I would.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/zynga-founder-mark-pincus-retakes-ceo-post-1428523793">Zynga Founder Mark Pincus Retakes CEO Post</a> [Wall Street Journal]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/290192-Don-Mattrick-zynga.jpg" alt="Don Mattrick stays winning, to be replaced at Zynga screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=273820Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenZynga has lost half of its active users in the last year2014-04-25T15:45:00Z2014-04-25T15:45:00Z<p>The bad news is that I'm sure they all moved on to play god damn <em>Candy Crush</em>. For now. Until some other bright casino game or reality show about a bad 90's rapper living in an Amish community wrangles their attention so they can mentally escape this oligarchical, dystopic America.</p>
<p>Zynga's daily active user count actually rose from 27 million in the last quarter of 2013 to 28 million this quarter, <a target="_blank" href="https://arstechnica.com/business/2014/04/in-just-one-year-zynga-has-lost-nearly-half-of-its-daily-active-users/">Ars Technica</a> reports, but these numbers are down, compared to the first quarter of 2013, when Zynga had 53 million daily active users.</p>
<p>Zynga recently made headlines for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-buys-naturalmotion-for-527m-cuts-workforce-15--269826.phtml">buying NaturalMotion for $527 million while cutting 15% of its staff</a>. It has ended the first quarter of 2014 with loses over $61 million (compared to $4.1 million profit in the first quarter of 2013).</p>
<p>CEO Don Mattrick, who vowed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/don-mattrick-to-turn-zynga-around-with-business-clich-s-258784.phtml">to turn Zynga around with business cliches</a>, naturally spun this positively, calling the losses in money and players, "a solid start to the year against our strategic frame of growing and sustaining our franchises, creating new hits and driving efficiencies." Maybe efficient at bleeding money.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://arstechnica.com/business/2014/04/in-just-one-year-zynga-has-lost-nearly-half-of-its-daily-active-users/">In just one year, Zynga lost nearly half of its daily active users</a> [Ars Technica]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/273820-frogfare.jpg" alt="Zynga has lost half of its active users in the last year screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=269826Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenZynga buys NaturalMotion for $527M, cuts workforce 15%2014-01-31T13:30:00Z2014-01-31T13:30:00Z<p>Zynga has made its first big move under new CEO and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/don-mattrick-to-turn-zynga-around-with-business-clich-s-258784.phtml">former Microsoft head Don Mattrick</a>, acquiring <em>CSR Racing</em> developer NaturalMotion for $527 million. The UK and US-based developer did well for itself with the mobile hit <em>CSR Racing</em>, but is also known for technologies used in big-budget console development, including the Euphoria physics engined licensed and used by Rockstar in <em>Grand Theft Auto IV </em>and <em>V</em>.</p>
<p>Zynga is dropping $391M in cash on the deal and making up the rest with 39.8M Zynga shares, <a target="_blank" href="https://venturebeat.com/2014/01/30/zynga-plans-to-acquire-csr-racing-developer-naturalmotion-for-527-million/">Venture Beat reports</a>. 11.6M shares are going to NaturalMotion employees who are joining Zynga.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, adhering to equivalent exchange, Zynga is once again laying its own people the heck off, to the tune of 314 jobs. That's 15% of its workforce and more jobs cut than the entire 260-person staff at NaturalMotion.</p>
<p>Cutting 15% of its staff is expected to save Zygna $35 million in 2014, which doesn't seem like all that much when you just orchestrated a $527 million acquisition, but that's why I don't wear a moneyhat.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://venturebeat.com/2014/01/30/zynga-plans-to-acquire-csr-racing-developer-naturalmotion-for-527-million/">Zynga plans to acquire CSR Racing developer NaturalMotion for $527 million</a> [VentureBeat]<br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.vg247.com/2014/01/30/zynga-buys-naturalmotion-for-527-million/">Zynga buys NaturalMotion for $527 million, cuts workforce by 15%</a> [VG 24/7]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/269826-zyngabs.jpg" alt="Zynga buys NaturalMotion for $527M, cuts workforce 15% screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=258784Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenDon Mattrick to turn Zynga around with business clichés2013-07-26T10:00:00Z2013-07-26T10:00:00Z<p>Former Microsoft figurehead and presumed fall guy Don Mattrick is now the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-boss-don-mattrick-leaving-to-head-up-zynga-257335.phtml">CEO of Zynga</a>, the company known for making millions off the Facebook boom and games like <em>Farmville</em>. Of course, the casual powerhouse <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/major-layoffs-happening-at-zynga-255227.phtml">hasn't been faring so well</a> in recent years, so it's on Mattrick to really shake things up. He is already doing so, apparently.</p>
<p>According to a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/25/4557930/how-don-mattrick-plans-to-turn-zynga-around">Polygon report</a> on a Zynga investor call, Mattrick said the company needed to "break some bad habits" and "get back to basics." He also stated he would get "under the hood to evaluate" Zynga's business, "calibrate against the market opportunity and to go after it with a real sense of urgency," and spend time "heads down" with developers.</p>
<p>While I can only speculate, I assume Mattrick also plans to "rub some dirt on it" because "it is what it is" and "there's no use living in the past" so they've just got to "take it one game at a time." I assume paradigms will be shifted and boxes will be persecuted with malice, typical scapegoat as they are when people decide to think outside of them. In fact, Zynga HQ could be temporarily shut down for construction as the San Francisco building is re-shaped into something more spherical or even tetrahedral. Anything not cubed, really.</p>
<p>Zynga's chief operations officer David Ko also noted the company would push a bit harder on the mobile front. Way to get bogged down with specifics, Ko, and miss the big picture ideas. It's why he isn't CEO. Mattrick did acknowledge the company is, "missing out on the platform growth that Apple, Google and Facebook are seeing," so I think that means he plans to do something that involves not missing out on that growth.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.polygon.com/2013/7/25/4557930/how-don-mattrick-plans-to-turn-zynga-around">How Don Mattrick plans to turn Zynga around</a> [Polygon]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/258784-zynga.jpg" alt="Don Mattrick to turn Zynga around with business clichés screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=257747Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreDon Mattrick negotiated to buy Zynga while at Microsoft2013-07-08T20:00:00Z2013-07-08T20:00:00Z<p>Today is Don Mattrick's first full day at Zynga as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-boss-don-mattrick-leaving-to-head-up-zynga-257335.phtml">the company's new CEO</a>. Wow, yeah, that's still weird to say. Speaking of the former president of Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business, here's a curious tidbit: according to unnamed sources who spoke with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-08/zynga-s-mattrick-looked-to-buy-company-while-at-microsoft.html">Bloomberg</a>, Mattrick attempted to buy the social-games company back in 2010.</p>
<p>He was reportedly in negotiations with Zynga founder Mark Pincus -- who Mattrick will now work with while at the firm -- on behalf of Microsoft. Had the deal gone through, it's possible we could be (not) playing games like <em>FarmVille</em> on Xbox 360 right now.</p>
<p>While Mattrick is well respected in his field -- note: I didn't write "in the comments of gaming sites" -- this certainly helps add context to his move. Zynga doesn't particularly make games I'm interested in, but I <em>am</em> strangely eager to see if he can help turn the company around.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-08/zynga-s-mattrick-looked-to-buy-company-while-at-microsoft.html">Zynga&rsquo;s Mattrick Looked to Buy Company While at Microsoft</a> [Bloomgerg]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/257747-h1.jpg" alt="Don Mattrick negotiated to buy Zynga while at Microsoft screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=257615Brett Makedonskihttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Brett+MakedonskiZynga error lets stranger do hilarious customer support2013-07-05T22:30:00Z2013-07-05T22:30:00Z<p style="text-align: left;">Zynga's been a <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-boss-don-mattrick-leaving-to-head-up-zynga-257335.phtml" target="_blank">hot topic</a> in the news lately, but this gaffe is quite a bit more lighthearted than the Mattrick saga. It's also pretty embarrassing.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">As reported by <a href="https://kotaku.com/zynga-mistake-puts-random-stranger-in-customer-support-664780630" target="_blank">Kotaku</a>, Zynga accidentally put a random person in charge of customer support on its <em>Coasterville</em>&nbsp;game. When needed, Zynga told players to email an @themepark.com address for help. However, Zynga didn't own this domain -- Eric Mueller did.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Mueller tried to inform Zynga of its mistake, but was met with no response. So, he did what I like to think anyone would have done in the same situation -- he answered the emails with outlandish responses.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Among Mueller's "solutions" were lying a hockey jersey across the keyboard, clicking really slowly, and spamming Facebook friends with the phrase "I love brown bears, folding chairs, and little curly hairs." We don't know how many people legitimately tried this advice, but I like to think it was, again, all of them.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Of course, Zynga killed the fun as soon as it caught wind of the situation, which to be fair, would have been immediately if its employees were paying any attention at all.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://kotaku.com/zynga-mistake-puts-random-stranger-in-customer-support-664780630" target="_blank">Zynga Mistake Puts Random Stranger In Customer Support Role</a> [Kotaku]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/257615-ZyngaHeader.jpg" alt="Zynga error lets stranger do hilarious customer support screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=257423Max Scovillehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Max+ScovilleGTA V, 400 Days of Summer, & Don Mattrickville2013-07-02T21:30:00Z2013-07-02T21:30:00Z<p><object width="620" height="349"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/Xm5v4qTHyxk?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/Xm5v4qTHyxk?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="620" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></p>
<p>Oh hey! Tara's back from Singapore! Let's talk about video games!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-boss-don-mattrick-leaving-to-head-up-zynga-257335.phtml%20" target="_blank">Don Mattrick</a> has left Microsoft to work for Zynga, Rockstar answers some <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/grand-theft-auto-v-on-xbox-360-will-ship-on-two-discs-257393.phtml%20" target="_blank">Grand Theft Auto V</a></em> questions, and <em>The Walking Dead</em> gets its interim DLC episode <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/the-walking-dead-400-days-launch-trailer-and-dates-257394.phtml%20" target="_blank">400 Days</a></em> in the next week, depending on your platform. Plus, Klei Entertainment's new game, <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/klei-s-incognita-offers-turn-based-tactical-espionage--257404.phtml%20" target="_blank">Incognita</a></em> is tactical turn-based stealth, and <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/proteus-coming-to-ps3-vita-will-be-cross-buy-257329.phtml" target="_blank">Proteus</a></em> is coming to PS3/Vita.</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/257423-453_HEADER.jpg" alt="GTA V, 400 Days of Summer, & Don Mattrickville screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=257335Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthMicrosoft boss Don Mattrick leaving to head up Zynga2013-07-01T12:02:00Z2013-07-01T12:02:00Z<p>[<strong>Update</strong>: It's official. Zynga has confirmed that Mattrick will join the company as CEO and member of the board of directors on July 8, 2013. "<span>I joined Zynga because I believe that [founder Mark Pincus'] pioneering&nbsp;</span><span>vision and mission to connect the world through games is just getting&nbsp;</span><span>started," he said. "Zynga is a great business that has yet to realize its full&nbsp;</span><span>potential."</span>]</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://allthingsd.com/20130701/exclusive-microsofts-entertainment-head-don-mattrick-leaving-to-take-top-role-possibly-ceo-at-zynga/?mod=tech">AllThingsD</a> has a source that is saying that Microsoft Interactive Entertainment Business president Don Mattrick will be leaving Microsoft. These same people say he is taking a top job at Zynga -- possibly a CEO position. An announcement could be made as soon as today, after markets close.</p>
<p>Losing Mattrick would be a punch in the gut for Microsoft and its Xbox division. It would also be a huge win for Zynga -- a win the online gaming company <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/major-layoffs-happening-at-zynga-255227.phtml" target="_blank">could definitely use</a>. AllThingsD guesses he would be put at the top for a turnaround for the company.</p>
<p>Microsoft does not need this following this year's rough announcement of the Xbox One.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/microsoft-can-t-get-online-buy-an-xbox-360--256130.phtml">This comes to mind</a>.</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/257335-hhaha.jpg" alt="Microsoft boss Don Mattrick leaving to head up Zynga screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=255326Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreZynga shutting down Draw Something developer OMGPOP2013-06-04T16:30:00Z2013-06-04T16:30:00Z<p>It came out this week that social gaming giant Zynga <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/major-layoffs-happening-at-zynga-255227.phtml">had laid off</a> 520 employees (approximately 18 percent of its global workforce), which ended up meaning full office closures in some cases. Joining the shutdowns in New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles comes word that <em>Draw Something </em>developer OMGPOP has been shuttered.</p>
<p>"While this is the last day at @zynga for many @omgpop staff, we want to thank you for all love and awesomeness over the years!" <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/omgpop/status/341635617546969089">reads an official tweet</a> from the company. Asked where people were going, OMGPOP's account said "To a bar, as quickly as possible!"</p>
<p>"I learned via Facebook I was laid off today and @OMGPOP office is closed. Thanks @zynga for again reminding me how not to operate a business," wrote former VP Ali Nicolas.</p>
<p>It was remarkable that Zynga <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-bought-omgpop-developer-of-draw-something-224299.phtml">paid as much as it did</a> for the studio only last year. Seeing how this purchase has turned out is unfortunate for those involved, though it's not exactly a shocker. Something tells me many of these folks will get back on their feet before too long.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2013/06/04/zynga-shuts-down-omgpop-one-year-after-acquiring-it-for-200m/">Zynga Reportedly Shuts Down OMGPOP One Year After Acquiring It For $200M</a> [TechCrunch]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/255326-h1.jpg" alt="Zynga shutting down Draw Something developer OMGPOP screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=255227Abel Girmayhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Abel+GirmayMajor layoffs happening at Zynga2013-06-03T21:00:00Z2013-06-03T21:00:00Z<p>Sad news been handed down to many employees of the massive social game developer Zynga, as the company is reportedly cutting loose 520 staff members. That's around 18 percent of the company workforce. As part of the cuts, the Los Angeles, Dallas, and New York studios are to be shuttered, with all layoffs to be completed by August of this year. Some games from the shuttered studios will be following their developer's fate, such as the Zynga LA title <em>Empires &amp; Allies</em>, which is set to be taken offline June 17.</p>
<p>This move comes as a way to sustain the struggling developer, which estimates it will save anywhere in the ballpark of "an estimated $70 to $80 million." Zynga is also reporting to expect a net loss of anywhere from $39 to $28.5 million for their second quarter, with its share trading being halted on NASDAQ just before the news of the layoffs hit.</p>
<p>Looks like Zynga is having a rough go of it all around, and while I can't say that I've played any of the company's games, my thoughts go out to all the people affected. Here's to hoping they recover from this quickly.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/3/4392202/zynga-to-lay-off-520-employees-close-la-dallas-and-new-york-studios">Zynga to lay off 520 employees worldwide, close LA, Dallas, and New York studios</a> [Polygon]</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/255227-zynga header.jpg" alt="Major layoffs happening at Zynga screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=252434Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthZynga launches Draw Something 22013-04-25T11:00:00Z2013-04-25T11:00:00Z<p>Here's another excuse to draw dick pictures on your mobile device and send them to your friends. It's <em>Draw Something 2</em>, the follow-up to the Pictonary-like social game that captured our imaginations for exactly 1.5 weeks last year.&nbsp;</p>
<p>It might be time to jump back in as it sounds like Zynga has come up with new ways to play with others. A new live feed lets players share, like, and even comment on other drawings. You can follow friends and celebs now, just like Twitter. There's also a gallery feature that lets you store and review your works, as well as your favorite works of others.</p>
<p>There are new drawing tools in this sequel, with support for patterns and textures. The 8-bit pixel pen sounds neat.</p>
<p><em>Draw Something 2</em> is available now on the <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/draw-something-2/id602881939?mt=8">App Store</a> for all iOS devices. It's coming soon to Android.&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/252434-dr.jpg" alt="Zynga launches Draw Something 2 screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=251542Caitlin Cookehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Caitlin+CookeImpressions: Zynga's mobile card game War of the Fallen2013-04-15T15:30:00Z2013-04-15T15:30:00Z<p>Zynga has just released their latest social game endeavor <i>War of the Fallen</i> for iOS, with Android soon to follow. This new card battle game steps up to the plate with hopes of introducing casual game players to the world of collectible card games, as well as satisfying that hardcore itch for more experienced CCG players.</p>
<p>On the heels of <i>Ayakashi: Ghost Guild</i>, Zynga&rsquo;s popular Japanese card battle game, <i>War of the Fallen</i> has thrown together practically every popular element of collectible card games available on the market in hopes that it will please all audiences. The question is, will it catch?</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/251542-header.jpg" alt="Impressions: Zynga's mobile card game War of the Fallen screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/impressions-zynga-s-mobile-card-game-war-of-the-fallen-251542.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=251323Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthDraw Something television game show is really happening2013-04-11T11:15:00Z2013-04-11T11:15:00Z<p>Remember when we told you how<a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-s-draw-something-game-show-coming-to-cbs-229666.phtml" target="_blank"> Zynga was working on turning their popular drawing mobile game into a television game show</a>? That's actually happening now, but not for CBS as we originally heard. Word is that they've decided not to&nbsp;commission&nbsp;a full series. They didn't want to pull a Zynga [zing-a!]. &nbsp;</p>
<p>Instead, the Draw Something game show is coming to Channel 4 in the UK. <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/mobile-phone-game-draw-something-to-be-made-into-channel-4-show-8568484.html" target="_blank">The Independent</a> says that contestants will be recruited through the iPhone and Android game apps, and will be partnered with celebrities for the game show. Two teams will sketch to compete for gold coins. The celebs that guess five sketches will win money for their contestant.&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/251323-cor.jpg" alt="Draw Something television game show is really happening screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/draw-something-television-game-show-is-really-happening-251323.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=249057Hamza CTZ Azizhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Hamza+CTZ+AzizRyan Seacrest got to announce Draw Something 22013-03-19T03:00:00Z2013-03-19T03:00:00Z<p><em>Draw Something 2</em> is officially happening. How do we know this? Because Ryan Seacrest <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/RyanSeacrest/status/313728488798580738">Tweeted the news</a>. What.</p>
<p>OMGPOP CEO and Zynga Vice President Dan Porter <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/tfadp/status/313730255271649280">later confirmed</a> that <em>Draw Something 2</em> is indeed coming soon and will feature "new ways to draw &amp; connect" with others.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/18/ryan-seacrest-announces-draw-something-2-on-twitter.aspx">Game Informer</a> speculates that Ryan got to announce the new game because Seacrest Productions, Embassy Row, and Sony Pictures Television won the bidding war to make a <em>Draw Something</em> television show. Yes, there's a TV show happening based on<em> Draw Something</em>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Videogame news, everybody! And now enjoy this picture Ryan made featuring Mariah and Randy in <em>Draw Something 2.</em> Look at the sparkles. LOOK AT THE SPARKLES.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/03/18/ryan-seacrest-announces-draw-something-2-on-twitter.aspx">Ryan Seacrest Announces Draw Something 2 On Twitter</a> [Game Informer]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/249057-header.jpg" alt="Ryan Seacrest got to announce Draw Something 2 screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/ryan-seacrest-got-to-announce-draw-something-2-249057.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=248994Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingZynga: Tablets are becoming the ultimate game platform2013-03-18T14:00:00Z2013-03-18T14:00:00Z<p>Console fans will protest, PC fans will bellow in outrage, but <em>Farmville</em> developer Zynga believes tablet devices are on track to become the ultimate platform for gaming experiences. According to games president&nbsp;<span>Steve Chiang, mobile swipe machines are where it's at.</span></p>
<p><span><span>"I think the tablet&rsquo;s becoming almost the ultimate game platform. I play before I go to bed, and when I wake up, I play on my tablet," he told GI.biz. "<span>Imagine <em>FarmVille 2</em> on a tablet, you can see the detail on a bigger farm and be able to manipulate things, getting a full experience on a tablet. We announced in the earnings call that FarmVille 2 is coming to mobile, and tablets. I expect a number of our &lsquo;Ville games to come to tablets in 2013."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span><span>While Chiang's words may unsettle some, I can't deny my iPad gets a lot of my gaming attention. Between <em>One Epic Knight</em>, <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/review-super-hexagon-234664.phtml">Super Hexagon</a></em>, and now <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ridiculous-fishing-dev-thinks-free-to-play-is-mostly-evil-248984.phtml">Ridiculous Fishing</a></em>, I can sink hours into a tablet. Then again, I'm just as liable to lose an entire weekend to <em>Skyrim</em> on my PC, so "ultimate" is certainly relative.</span></span></span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-03-15-zyngas-chiang-theres-a-land-grab-in-mobile">Zynga now sees tablets "becoming the ultimate game platform"</a> [GI.biz]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/248994-aaheader.jpg" alt="Zynga: Tablets are becoming the ultimate game platform screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=248451Tony Poncehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Tony+PonceZynga: Copying games is no big deal, don't worry about it2013-03-12T06:00:00Z2013-03-12T06:00:00Z<p>"Zynga is often accused of copying games, which is mostly true."</p>
<p>Those were the words <a target="_blank" href="https://qz.com/60731/zynga-copies-competitors-games-says-zynga-vp/">spoken</a> by Dan Porter, General Manager of Zynga New York. It's no secret to anyone with the capacity for rational thought that the social gaming madhouse has no shame in <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-apes-pokemon-with-suspiciously-similar-montopia-234047.phtml">building</a> a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-and-zynga-have-settled-over-the-ville-lawsuit-245109.phtml">portfolio</a> based entirely on the creative endeavors of others. But to hear the head of an entire division speak so bluntly about the company's modus operandi makes it sound like no one in upper management gives a toss they are seen as dirty, dirty rats.</p>
<p>Porter quickly realized that he stepped -- nay, <em>leaped</em> -- across a very dangerous line, so he sent out a <a target="_blank" href="https://blog.zynga.com/2013/03/08/a-note-from-dan-porter/">company-wide memo</a> hoping to clarify what he believed to be a misrepresentation of his words by the media. What he actually meant to say was, "[A]ll games are derived from other games, that this has been happening long before Zynga, and that the debate about originality in games is vastly overblown and misses the mark." His justification is that peer pressure is too overwhelming? What is this, middle school?</p>
<p>The real point of his original speech was to congratulate Zynga on effectively running games as a "service," therefore "the debate over copying games is a distraction if you are trying to figure out the future of social games." That's right, kids! No need to worry about finer details like integrity as long as you can achieve success. Because we all know that providing a "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/maxis-has-no-intention-of-making-simcity-offline-248365.phtml">service</a>" is always in the end-user's best interest.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://blog.zynga.com/2013/03/08/a-note-from-dan-porter/">A Note from Dan Porter</a> [Zynga via <a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2013/3/11/4089056/zynga-vp-calls-debate-over-copying-games-vastly-overblown">The Verge</a>]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/248451-WorkingDuck.jpg" alt="Zynga: Copying games is no big deal, don't worry about it screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=245109Hamza CTZ Azizhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Hamza+CTZ+AzizEA and Zynga have settled over The Ville lawsuit2013-02-15T19:30:00Z2013-02-15T19:30:00Z<p>The Electronic Arts and Zynga lawsuits against one another have both been dismissed. The two companies reached a settlement outside of court, and the specifics of the deal haven't been disclosed.</p>
<p>Both companies issued a statement declaring that "EA and Zynga have resolved their respective claims and have reached a settlement of their litigation in the Northern District of California."</p>
<p>Originally, EA sued Zynga over<em> The Ville</em>, accusing the company of copyright infringement in regards to <em>The Sims Social</em>. Additionally, there was a counter-claim in which Zynga accused EA's John Riccitiello of illegally preventing employees from being hired away by Zynga.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/186789/EA_and_Zynga_settle_The_Ville_copycat_case_out_of_court.php#.UR6nmqWcd8G">EA and Zynga settle The Ville copycat case out of court</a> [Gamasutra]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/245109-header.jpg" alt="EA and Zynga have settled over The Ville lawsuit screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=244320Hamza CTZ Azizhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Hamza+CTZ+AzizUm, what? Brett Ratner is making a FarmVille cartoon2013-02-07T23:30:00Z2013-02-07T23:30:00Z<p>Listen to the bear.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.deadline.com/2013/02/brett-ratner-farmville-animated-series-facebook-hercules/">Brett Ratner Boards &lsquo;FarmVille&rsquo; Animated Series</a> [Deadline]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/244320-header.jpg" alt="Um, what? Brett Ratner is making a FarmVille cartoon screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=241529Chris Carterhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Chris+CarterZynga cuts costs by shutting down 11 games2012-12-31T08:00:00Z2012-12-31T08:00:00Z<p>Zynga CEO Mark Pincus has just announced that 11 games will be either axed entirely, or stop accepting newcomers <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-shares-plummet-lawsuit-coming-gravy-train-crashes-232321.phtml">to cut costs</a>. It seems as if assets will be funneled into their more popular ventures, and new ones as well. Yep, sounds like a business plan that makes sense.</p>
<p>A few of the marquee games included in the shutdown are <em>Mafia Wars</em>,<em> Petville</em>, and <em>Vampire Wars</em>. In fact, if it has "Ville" or "Wars" in the title, it's probably gone. Sadly, the much beloved classic "<em>Indiana Jones Adventure World</em>" is also a casualty of war.</p>
<p>When logging into a few of these 11 games, players will be greeted with the following message: "howdy player, unfortunately the game you are looking for is not available anymore. Instead we have a whole new selection of free-to-play games. Try them out." Of course, there's no words of comfort that <em>that one Dad</em> who spent $5000 on his FishVille utopia.</p>
<p>With all of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-rips-off-tiny-tower-gets-called-out-by-devs-220310.phtml">trouble Zynga has caused</a> in the industry, I'm sure more than a few people are happy at the news. Considering the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/study-finds-that-85-quit-social-games-after-one-day-237036.phtml">low retention rate of social games</a>, who knows how long they can keep up their success.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://techcrunch.com/2012/12/30/zynga-shuts-down-petville-fishville-mafia-wars-2/">Game Over</a> [Tech Crunch]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/241529-Z1.jpg" alt="Zynga cuts costs by shutting down 11 games screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=240395Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreA free version of Horn is now up on the App Store2012-12-11T22:00:00Z2012-12-11T22:00:00Z<p>Phosphor Games Studio and Zynga have put out a "free" version of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/horn-234647.phtml"><em>Horn</em></a>, the fairly ambitious action-adventure game for mobile devices. That can be downloaded from the App Store <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/horn-free/id571350004?ls=1&amp;mt=8">right now</a>, offering the Prologue from the main campaign and nigh endless combat in Quest mode.</p>
<p>From what I've played of this, it is indeed a step up what you would expect from most lite games, but it's understandably not going to be as fleshed out as the full, premium game. While <em>Horn</em> doesn't really seem like something I'd want to continue playing for too much longer, there's enough of a hook here, and it did remind me that I should go check out the studio's prior release, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/review-the-dark-meadow-213376.phtml"><em>The Dark Meadow</em></a>. I'll take it.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/240395-h1.jpg" alt="A free version of Horn is now up on the App Store screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=237350Max Scovillehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Max+ScovilleThe DTOID Show: XCOM DLC, Sim City, Zynga & Warfighter2012-10-24T18:45:00Z2012-10-24T18:45:00Z<p><span><object width="620" height="349"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/mTgZDiqmNFc?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/mTgZDiqmNFc?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="620" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span><br /><br />Today on The Destructoid Show, we discuss<a href="https://www.destructoid.com/first-look-at-xcom-enemy-unknown-s-slingshot-pack-237285.phtml%20"> <em>XCOM: Enemy Unknown</em></a>'s upcoming Slingshot DLC, <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/simcity-officially-dated-march-5-2013-237328.phtml">Sim City</a></em>'s momentary delay, <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/review-medal-of-honor-warfighter-237311.phtml">Medal Of Honor: Warfighter</a></em>'s less-than-thrilling reception, and crappy ol' <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-lays-off-five-percent-of-its-full-time-employees-237289.phtml%20">Zynga</a> doing a bunch of crappy stuff. Again.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/237350-DTOID_380_HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: XCOM DLC, Sim City, Zynga & Warfighter screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=237289Jordan Devorehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jordan+DevoreZynga lays off five percent of its full-time employees2012-10-23T17:40:00Z2012-10-23T17:40:00Z<p>There were a number of layoffs at <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/tag.phtml?t=Zynga">Zynga</a> today, as you might have heard from employees who were affected and quickly spread the word. An internal note from CEO Mark Pincus confirms much of what's been said about the significant changes that took place.</p>
<p>For starters, Zynga Boston is being closed. Closures have been proposed for the company's Japan and UK studios, and layoffs are also hitting the studio in Austin. All told, approximately five percent of Zynga's full-time workforce has been let go. 13 older games are being sunset and the social game company will be "significantly reducing [its] investment in <em>The Ville</em>."</p>
<p>Pincus notes that "This is the most painful part of an overall cost reduction plan that also includes significant cuts in spending on data hosting, advertising and outside services, primarily contractors. These reductions, along with our ongoing efforts to implement more stringent budget and resource allocation around new games and partner projects, will improve our profitability and allow us to reinvest in great games and our Zynga network on web and mobile."</p>
<p>It's a shame how frequently layoffs seem to happen in this industry -- even when it is a company whose work you don't particularly care for. Best of luck to those impacted by the layoffs in finding work swiftly.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.theverge.com/2012/10/23/3544176/zynga-reportedly-lays-off-100-employees-during-apples-event-shutters">Zynga lays off five percent of employees during Apple's event, shutters Boston studio [update: Mark Pincus's memo to staff]</a> [The Verge]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/237289-z1.jpg" alt="Zynga lays off five percent of its full-time employees screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=236545Allistair Pinsofhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Allistair+PinsofWe have a file on you: The tools & tricks of social games2012-10-13T18:00:00Z2012-10-13T18:00:00Z<p>Meet Melissa. She's a forty-year-old mom who has recently become hooked on <a target="_blank" href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dragonvale/id440045374?mt=8"><em>DragonVale</em></a>, a free-to-play iOS game. She is what social game analysts call a <em>whale</em>. No, this isn't a comment on her physical stature or deep, raspy cafeteria-lady voice. Whale refers to the type of player she is, financially speaking. Whales are a very good thing for developers, as they are the ones that make the most and largest purchases in free-to-play games.</p>
<p>Developers' analytical tools compile data and profile Melissa, determining if she is likely to be a whale. At this point, the tools analyze whether she will <em>churn</em> soon (read: depart the game) and what would be the best offer to prevent her from leaving the game for the rest of her life.</p>
<p>There is a world of data, audience manipulation, and visual tricks that occur within social games without players ever realizing it. While it's too early to judge where these tool may take the industry, learning how they work does give one some ideas. Let's turn back the veil and see social game design for what it really is, shall we?</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com//ul/236545-socialhdblur.jpg" alt="We have a file on you: The tools & tricks of social games screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/we-have-a-file-on-you-the-tools-tricks-of-social-games-236545.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=234047Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingZynga apes Pokemon with suspiciously similar Montopia 2012-08-30T13:15:00Z2012-08-30T13:15:00Z<p><span><iframe width="620" height="349" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ULSOwrysF7U" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></p>
<p>Oh Zynga, will you ever learn? Despite being <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-vs-zynga-ea-claims-it-s-a-game-industry-defender--233529.phtml" target="_blank">embroiled in a lawsuit</a> against fellow evildoer Electronic Arts, those wacky rouges at Zynga are hard at work with another "inspired" game -- <em>Montopia</em>.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Montopia</em> casts you in the role of a monster trainer, as you journey to collect 400 monsters, which can be used in battle and melded together to evolve them. You find monsters by walking down a path and picking up chests, because copying <em>Pokemon</em>'s open world and roleplaying elements would be too much hard work.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As is the Zynga way, you only have a limited pool of energy and health each day, and there are opportunities to use your real-world cash to buy a load of meaningless crap for an adventure that truly doesn't matter to anybody with a brain.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Zynga really does just have one song in its playlist, even with the market around it changing. There's a word we use for animals that are unable to change when the climate around them does -- extinct.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/234047-header.jpg" alt="Zynga apes Pokemon with suspiciously similar Montopia screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=233848Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingJimquisition: EA vs. Zynga - The Lesser of Two Evils2012-08-27T15:00:00Z2012-08-27T15:00:00Z<p><span><div style='width:620px;font-size: 12px;'><embed src="https://cdn2.themis-media.com/media/global/movies/player/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.7.swf" flashvars="config=https://www.themis-media.com/videos/config/6220-a6331658fc84c121c0680dbc20948a08.js%3Fplayer_version%3D2.5%26embed%3D1" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" quality="high" bgcolor="#000000" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="https://www.adobe.com/go/getflashplayer" width="620" height="376" wmode="opaque"></embed><div><a href='https://www.escapistmagazine.com'>The Escapist</a> : <a href='https://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/jimquisition'>Jimquisition</a> : <a href='/videos/view/jimquisition/6220-EA-versus-Zynga-The-Lesser-of-Two-Evils'>EA versus Zynga - The Lesser of Two Evils</a></div></div></span></p>
<p>Electronic Arts and Zynga duking it out is one of the biggest supervillain slap-fights in history. Both companies are reviled by gamers the world over, but as is our nature, we can't just sit back and watch the carnage. People are picking sides, and while many have chosen to root for the lesser evil, they may be confused as to which one that actually is.</p>
<p>Easy mistake to make, to be honest. It's hard to tell.</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/233848-jqheader.jpg" alt="Jimquisition: EA vs. Zynga - The Lesser of Two Evils screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=233529Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingEA vs. Zynga: EA claims it's a game industry defender!2012-08-21T11:00:00Z2012-08-21T11:00:00Z<p>Electronic Arts' delusions of grandeur have reached new heights this week, as the company continues to milk its <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-suing-zynga-over-copyright-infringement-232482.phtml" target="_blank">lawsuit against Zynga</a> for <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-vs-zynga-ea-thanks-gamers-for-support-232685.phtml" target="_blank">cheap applause and gamer cred</a>. Its latest claim? The lawsuit positions Electronic Arts as the industry's very own Batman.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"When we looked at <em>The Ville</em> we felt somewhat affronted by what we saw as copyright infringement," COO Peter Moore told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-20-ea-says-its-standing-up-for-the-industry-in-battle-against-zynga">Eurogamer</a>. "We also feel from an industry perspective that a number of these things have happened before related to Zynga, but there's never been a company that has the wherewithal and the resources to take it to the next level. We do.</p>
<p><span>"So, we're defending our Maxis studio, and we're standing up for the industry. The roots of what we do as an industry is creative, from the minds of people who sit there and build storylines and characters and mesh it all together and work hard to do it. You take years to do that. And when you see somebody, quite frankly, take months replicating what you've done, you're upset. We were upset. We were upset for Maxis.</span></p>
<p><span><span>"And we've seen enough of it from an industry perspective," he continued, "with smaller publishers and developers who also put their hands up and said, this is not right, but I don't know what to do about it. We do."</span></span></p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/233529-header.jpg" alt="EA vs. Zynga: EA claims it's a game industry defender! screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/ea-vs-zynga-ea-claims-it-s-a-game-industry-defender--233529.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232685Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingEA vs. Zynga: EA thanks gamers for support 2012-08-07T09:00:00Z2012-08-07T09:00:00Z<p>Electronic Arts couldn't have asked for <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-suing-zynga-over-copyright-infringement-232482.phtml" target="_blank">a better enemy in Zynga</a>. The social game kingpin is not only in financial trouble, it's also one of the most despised companies in the industry. EA must realize this, and has started sucking up to a game community that's not been too fond of<em> either</em> publisher.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Last week I posted a note to explain why I felt the need to pursue legal action against Zynga for their blatant copying of <em>The Sims Social</em>. The complaint is now on file in United States District Court in San Francisco," <a href="https://www.ea.com/news/a-thank-you-from-lucy-bradshaw" target="_blank">said EA's Maxis manager</a>, Lucy Bradshaw. "<span>This action definitely touched a nerve in the gaming community. The response from peers within the industry, EA and Maxis employees and players of not only<em> The Sims</em> but all games in support of EA&rsquo;s action was amazing and fast.</span></p>
<p><span><span><span>"So here&rsquo;s another post to simply say Thank You. Your kind words and emotional support add strength to my conviction that we&rsquo;re doing the right thing."</span></span></span></p>
<p><span><span>Call me a cynic, but I get a sense that EA's worked out it can regain some love from an angry community simply by picking on a worse enemy. Frankly, I'm not falling for it -- I certainly don't respect EA more just because its latest little fight is against Zynga. </span></span></p>
<p><span><span>And after EA kept its mouth shut up in <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-joins-pipa-sopa-blackout-protest-on-18th-219591.phtml" target="_blank">the SOPA battle</a>, forgive me for not rushing to<em> its</em> defense now.</span></span></p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/232685-header.jpg" alt="EA vs. Zynga: EA thanks gamers for support screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232634Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingEA vs. Zynga: Zynga hits back, says EA is a copycat too2012-08-06T11:00:00Z2012-08-06T11:00:00Z<p>The supervillain slapfight of the century was initiated on Friday, with EA announcing that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-suing-zynga-over-copyright-infringement-232482.phtml">it would take Zynga to court</a> for copying <em>The Sims Social</em>. Today, Zynga has fired its opening salvo in response, accusing EA of copying<em> CityVille</em>. Oh, this is delicious.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span>"We are committed to creating the most fun, innovative, social and engaging games in every major genre that our players enjoy," Zynga claimed in a statement. "<span><em>The Ville</em> is the newest game in our 'ville' franchise -- it builds on every major innovation from our existing invest-and-express games dating back to <em>YoVille</em> and continuing through <em>CityVille</em> and <em>CastleVille</em>, and introduces a number of new social features and game mechanics not seen in social games today.</span></span></p>
<p>"It's unfortunate that EA thought that this was an appropriate response to our game, and clearly demonstrates a lack of understanding of basic copyright principles.&nbsp;It's also ironic that EA brings this suit shortly after launching <em>SimCity Social</em> which bears an uncanny resemblance to Zynga's <em>CityVille</em> game. Nonetheless, we plan to defend our rights to the fullest extent possible and intend to win with players."</p>
<p>EA has earned some kudos from gamers after picking on a more hated enemy, and Zynga's unlikely to win many friends for hitting back, but this whole thing is tough to gauge. What Zynga does<em> is</em> sleazy, but I'm not sure I like the idea of developers being sued for using gameplay ideas, no matter <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/kamiya-playstation-all-stars-is-just-an-immoral-rip-off-232628.phtml">how shameless they are</a>. I worry about the potential precedent that such a broad suit could set.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If EA wants to sue just over the potentially stolen assets, that's cool. If it pushes for the whole concept, that makes me just a tad nervous.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://allthingsd.com/20120803/electronic-arts-sues-zynga-for-copyright-infringement-over-the-ville/">Electronic Arts Sues Zynga for Copyright Infringement Over The Ville</a> [All Things D]</p> <p>
<img src="http://www.destructoid.com/ul/232634-header.jpg" alt="EA vs. Zynga: Zynga hits back, says EA is a copycat too screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232505Tara Longhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Tara+LongThe DTOID Show: Zynga, Dishonored, and QuakeCon 2012!2012-08-03T20:15:00Z2012-08-03T20:15:00Z<p><span><iframe width="620" height="465" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0743Pahf8xM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></span></p>
<p>Happy Friday, lovelies! We've got a jam-packed show today, full of all the <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/quakecon-rise-of-the-triad-multiplayer-hands-on-232420.phtml">QuakeCon</a> and <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-suing-zynga-over-copyright-infringement-232482.phtml">copyright infringement</a> news you can handle! We've also got footage of <em>Assassin's Creed III</em>'s <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/assassin-s-creed-3-anvilnext-engine-struts-its-stuff-232423.phtml">AnvilNext engine</a>, a list of famous people lending their voices to <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/dishonored-s-voice-cast-includes-susan-sarandon-and-more-232477.phtml">Dishonored</a></em>, a PC release date for <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/dawnguard-is-now-available-for-pc-users-232414.phtml">Dawnguard</a></em>, and a preview of <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/how-wii-u-players-will-catch-up-on-mass-effect-s-story-232406.phtml">Mass Effect 3</a></em>'s <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/preview-getting-wet-with-mass-effect-3-leviathan-232456.phtml">Leviathan DLC</a>. And if you enjoy angry rants, then you're in for a real treat!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/232505-DTOID_342_HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: Zynga, Dishonored, and QuakeCon 2012! screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232482Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingEA suing Zynga over copyright infringement 2012-08-03T12:58:00Z2012-08-03T12:58:00Z<p>Electronic Arts has announced that it will be twisting the knife into <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-shares-plummet-lawsuit-coming-gravy-train-crashes-232321.phtml">the beleaguered Zynga</a> by taking it to court -- suing the trouble company over its new social game, <em>The Ville</em>. EA alleges that<em> The Ville</em> is a rip-off of <em>The Sims Social.</em> Man, we knew EA was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/have-an-obnoxious-petty-simcity-social-trailer-230299.phtml">gunning for Zynga</a>, but they brought out the cannons now.</p>
<p><span>"The core legal issue is our belief that Zynga infringed copyrights to our game,&nbsp;</span><em>The Sims Social," </em>wrote EA.<span>&nbsp; "In legal terms, our claim is that Zynga copied the original and distinctive expressive elements of&nbsp;</span><em>The Sims Social</em><span>&nbsp;in a clear violation of the U.S. copyright laws.</span></p>
<p><span><span>"The legal reasons are solid. But for creative teams who feel that their hard work and imaginations have been ripped off, there&rsquo;s obviously an emotional element too."</span></span></p>
<p><span>The full allegation <a target="_blank" href="https://www.ea.com/news/eamaxis-sue-zynga-for-copyright-infringement">can be read here</a>, as Maxis manager Lucy Bradshaw attempts to garner sympathy in what can only be described as the villain face-off of the century. Seriously, Electronic Arts versus Zynga. What next? Two pedophiles having a fistfight?&nbsp;</span></p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/232482-header.jpg" alt="EA suing Zynga over copyright infringement screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232362Max Scovillehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Max+ScovilleThe DTOID Show: Aliens, Zynga, Ada Wong in RE6, & PAX2012-08-01T19:30:00Z2012-08-01T19:30:00Z<p><span><object width="620" height="349"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/N151GPAumMA?version=3&amp;hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="https://www.youtube.com/v/N151GPAumMA?version=3&amp;hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="620" height="349" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></span></p>
<p>Today's episode of The Destructoid Show is brought to you by a flock of magical falcons who carried it here in a net woven out of gossamer spider-silk. Okay, not really. I just wanted to write something interesting.</p>
<p>Sega released a developer diary for <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/aliens-colonial-marines-dev-diary-promises-authenticity-232328.phtml">Aliens: Colonial Marines</a></em>, which&nbsp;features a bunch of Gearbox guys (who are all pretty cool guys) awkwardly putting on their glasses in slow motion and talking about how faithful the game is going to be to the original film. In terms of important business financial money things, EA announced that <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/star-wars-the-old-republic-is-going-free-to-play-232280.phtml">Star Wars: The Old Republic</a></em> is going free-to-play, and between plummeting stock prices, and insider trading accusations, <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-shares-plummet-lawsuit-coming-gravy-train-crashes-232321.phtml">Zynga</a> is in a very bad way. Speaking of Zynga, Zynga is boring. <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/play-as-a-zombie-in-resident-evil-6-in-agent-hunt-mode-232331.phtml">Resident Evil 6</a> </em>has sexy ladies in evening-wear with crossbows, namely, Ada Wong, as well as the new "Agent Hunt" mode. Which is unfortunately not a <em>Mission: Impossible</em> reference.</p>
<p>Finally, <strong><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/destructoid-live-iii-confirmed-for-pax-prime-232267.phtml">Destructoid has a panel at PAX Prime a month from now.</a></strong> Go there, and we can do the hugs with each other.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/232362-DTOID_341_HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: Aliens, Zynga, Ada Wong in RE6, & PAX screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=232321Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingZynga shares plummet, lawsuit coming, gravy train crashes2012-08-01T10:00:00Z2012-08-01T10:00:00Z<p><em>Farmville</em> creator Zynga is ... buggered. After a few years of living large and sucking as much cash as it could from Facebook users, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-boss-allegedly-hates-innovation-loves-evil-183480.phtml">proudly "evil"</a> company's bottom is well and truly falling out. Share prices have been falling for the past few weeks, today plummeting to a new low of $2.95.</p>
<p>Taking the fall is former Xbox man and current COO John Schappert, who has been <a target="_blank" href="https://online.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444405804577561712051150228.html">stripped of his authority</a> over Zynga's game business, having to hand the reigns over to David Ko and Steve Chiang.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Oh, but it doesn't end there. The company is also facing <a href="https://venturebeat.com/2012/07/31/first-zynga-stock-sell-off-insider-trading-lawsuit-filed/" target="_blank">a class-action lawsuit</a>, where it's alleged that higher-ups were insider trading. Zynga bigwigs, including CEO Marc Pinkus, are said to have sold over $500 million in stock three months before the crash. Five legal firms are investigating, and "hundreds" of investors may be included in the suit.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This was pretty much bound to happen, really. Zynga poured all of its efforts into exploiting an audience that, at best, has the attention span of a magpies with ADD. While casual gamers are an important demographic, they're not reliable in the long term -- especially Facebook users, who by nature are bored of everything and require constant fresh stimulation.</p>
<p>When all your money is made from optional purchases by faddy consumers ... well, you're asking for trouble.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/232321-header.jpg" alt="Zynga shares plummet, lawsuit coming, gravy train crashes screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=230356Steven Hansenhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Steven+HansenPreview: Horn could be an admirable game 2012-06-30T14:00:00Z2012-06-30T14:00:00Z<p>So, there certainly was a reaction to the newly announced <i>Horn</i> when Jim posted <a href="&rdquo;https:/www.destructoid.com/horn-announced-for-ios-will-prove-consoles-are-dead-230232.phtml&rdquo;">a little clip</a> a few days ago in which the game was shown off and Phosphor Games&rsquo; Chip Sineni made some innocent claims about the mobile and tablet spheres becoming the main way people play games.</p>
<p>And he isn&rsquo;t necessarily wrong. Obviously a lot of gaming enthusiasts would not deign to merely play games on these growing platforms, let alone replace consoles with them, but these sectors are huge. I mean, <i>Infinity Blade</i> is Epic&rsquo;s <a href="&rdquo;">most profitable</a> game.</p>
<p>All that silliness and scoffing aside, I was able to play <i>Horn</i> at Zynga Unleashed, as well as talk to the aforementioned Chip Sineni of Phosphor Games, and it&rsquo;s a pretty neat thing.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/230356-Horn header.jpg" alt="Preview: Horn could be an admirable game screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/preview-horn-could-be-an-admirable-game-230356.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=230299Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingHave an obnoxious, petty SimCity Social trailer 2012-06-28T08:00:00Z2012-06-28T08:00:00Z<p><span><!-- SCRIPT BEFORE DIV -->
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<p>If you're mentally subnormal, then Electronic Arts has a trailer that's going to definitely appeal to your sensibilities. This video for <em>SimCity Social</em> promotes the Facebook game with a song so bad, it makes EA's Christmas carol from last year look almost acceptable. Is the man singing meant to be a pirate? Why?&nbsp;</p>
<p>As you can hear from the chorus, EA is <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/e3-ea-bitchslaps-zynga-with-simcity-social-228705.phtml" target="_blank">continuing its plan</a> to contrive yet another industry rivalry with a company that will likely ignore the trash talk, making EA look petty and juvenile in the process. The "More city, less ville" slogan is the new "Go above and beyond the call." Oh, that passive-aggression!&nbsp;</p>
<p>So EA has attempted to pick a fight with <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/e3-screens-for-dead-space-3-crysis-3-moh-warfighter-228469.phtml" target="_blank">Activision</a>, <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/the-old-republic-s-hidden-subscribers-are-actually-gone-227117.phtml" target="_blank">Blizzard</a>, <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ea-wants-origin-to-be-the-facebook-to-steam-s-myspace-230084.phtml" target="_blank">Valve</a>, and now Zynga. Keep trying, EA, one day someone might bite back. I'd consider setting your sights on something like Atari, though. At least you'd score a win out of that one.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/230299-header.jpg" alt="Have an obnoxious, petty SimCity Social trailer screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=229732Tara Longhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Tara+LongThe DTOID Show: Bring on the uncensored violence!2012-06-18T17:05:00Z2012-06-18T17:05:00Z<p><!-- jEmbed JS API-->
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<p>That's right, folks - I'm back in the studio after a week-long vacation, and I've got my party shoes on! You know, the orthopaedic ones with extra arch support? (I have fragile bones.)</p>
<p>Anyway, on today's show, we've got a trailer for the upcoming <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/payday-s-criminals-visit-left-4-dead-s-no-mercy-hospital-229602.phtml"><em>Payday: The Heist / Left 4 Dead</em> crossover</a>, as well as some Microsoft Xbox 720/tablet speculation and news of a <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-s-draw-something-game-show-coming-to-cbs-229666.phtml">Draw Something</a></em> TV show. Because the world desperately needed that. Also, it looks like violent video games will soon be <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/r18-age-rating-for-games-approved-in-australia--229696.phtml">headed to Australia</a> - guess it's finally time to throw out that censored copy of <em>50 Cent: Bulletproof</em>!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/229732-DTOID322_HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: Bring on the uncensored violence! screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=229666Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthZynga's Draw Something game show coming to CBS2012-06-17T19:00:00Z2012-06-17T19:00:00Z<p>I fell in love with, became addicted to and later swore off mobile drawing game<em> Draw Something</em> over the course of 3 days. I deleted the app, washed my hands of it, and never spoke of it again. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-bought-omgpop-developer-of-draw-something-224299.phtml">Zynga paid about $200 million</a> to acquire developers OMGPop right about the time when everyone else started to bail on it. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/draw-something-losing-charm-also-millions-of-players-226883.phtml">About 4 million players bailed</a> the same month I did.</p>
<p>So why not turn the property into a television game show? CBS has teamed up with Zynga to create a television game show pilot based on <em>Draw Something</em>. Believe it or not, CBS beat out Sony Pictures Television and Ryan Seacrest Productions in a bidding war for the rights.</p>
<p>Speaking of Seacrest, he joins on as an executive producer for the show, but won't be hosting, says <a target="_blank" href="https://www.variety.com/article/VR1118055570">Variety</a>.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Teams of celebs and regular users will get their scribble on in front of a live studio audience to earn money and prizes. There's an at-home play-along opportunity for viewers to play along and also win prizes.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/229666-dw.jpg" alt="Zynga's Draw Something game show coming to CBS screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=228705Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingE3: EA bitchslaps Zynga with SimCity Social2012-06-04T15:27:00Z2012-06-04T15:27:00Z<p>EA is preparing to invade Facebook, and it has Zynga in its sights. What is it about EA and its obsession with picking fights via passive-aggressive game slogans?</p>
<p>In any case, <em>SimCity Social</em> is a city-building game for your Faced Books, and as the above slogan implies, it's gunning for the likes of <em>FarmVille</em> and <em>CityVille</em>. It seems they want to marry the compulsive spending habits of Facebook gamers to something a little deeper than Zynga's efforts offer.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But seriously ... always with the picking of fights.</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/228705-city.jpg" alt="E3: EA bitchslaps Zynga with SimCity Social screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=226946Chris Carterhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Chris+CarterZynga already attempting to actively ruin Draw Something2012-05-04T14:30:00Z2012-05-04T14:30:00Z<p>I must admit: I still play <em>Draw Something</em>, albeit only with the few loyal friends that I have left (thanks Chad!). <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/draw-something-losing-charm-also-millions-of-players-226883.phtml">Like millions of others</a>, most of the people on my friends list flocked to basically anything else, avoiding the game like the plague -- some users cited Zynga as the cause.</p>
<p>Well, the saga of Zynga's evil mobile influence continues, as it's been a paltry month and a half, and it seems that the real reason for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-bought-omgpop-developer-of-draw-something-224299.phtml">Zynga's OMGPop acquisition</a> is out on the table: ad spots.</p>
<p>Yes, Zynga has already tested advertising words for KFC, Nike, and Doritos, because in the words of Dan Porter, Zynga's mobile VP, "People loved to draw the Colonel and bags of Doritos." The NHL is the first active business to set up shop. You're all corporate sponsors, folks: you just don't know it yet. Just think of the possibilities -- maybe we can get Mr. Destructoid some love?</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.computerandvideogames.com/346524/zynga-adds-brand-sponsored-words-to-draw-something/?cid=OTC-RSS&amp;attr=CVG-General-RSS">Zynga adds brand-sponsored words to Draw Something</a> [CVG]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/226946-DS1.jpg" alt="Zynga already attempting to actively ruin Draw Something screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=226883Kyle MacGregorhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Kyle+MacGregorDraw Something losing charm, also millions of players2012-05-03T07:00:00Z2012-05-03T07:00:00Z<p>Remember&nbsp;<em>Draw Something</em>? Yeah, that asynchronus&nbsp;<em>Pictionary</em>&nbsp;rip-off that everyone was playing for two weeks before we all moved on with our lives. Well, it looks like the honeymoon is over. After setting record downloads, (50 million in 50 days) OMGPop&rsquo;s trendy iOS app is hemorrhaging users at a rather alarming rate.</p>
<p>Data collected by WebMediaBrands indicates that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-bought-omgpop-developer-of-draw-something-224299.phtml" target="_blank">Zynga&rsquo;s latest acquisition</a>&nbsp;lost nearly four million active players over the course of the past month.&nbsp;From April 2 to May 2, daily users dropped from 14.3 million to 10.4 million. Unfortunately for Zygna and its $200 million investment, use by casual players has begun to tail off as well, albeit at a slower, more steady pace.</p>
<p>Like most fads, the old adage "the brightest flame burns quickest" seems to apply here. It was fun while it lasted.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-17922623" target="_blank">Draw Something sheds millions of users, figures suggest</a>&nbsp;[BBC News]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/226883-furb.jpg" alt="Draw Something losing charm, also millions of players screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
</p>
tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=224623Victoria Medinahttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Victoria+MedinaOMGPop founder and Zynga have some history2012-03-27T21:00:00Z2012-03-27T21:00:00Z<p>Last week we learned that <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-has-bought-omgpop-developer-of-draw-something-224299.phtml">Zynga gobbled up OMGPop</a>&nbsp;and it turns out that the founder of the latter actually turned down a job offer from the former in 2008.&nbsp;<span>Charles Forman, after starting up OMGPop and a dating site, I'm In Like With You, left the gaming industry, and said no to an offer to go work for Zynga.</span></p>
<p>Forman is no sucker though, and kept his stock even after leaving his company. Thanks to <i>Draw Something</i>&nbsp;and its popularity, he is now estimated to be worth $22 million. Good for him, and also good for him on wanting to use his money to help other startups.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Irony.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2012-03-27-omgpop-founder-turned-down-zynga-job">OMGPOP founder turned down Zynga job</a> [GamesIndustry.biz]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/224623-CRAZYnick.jpg" alt="OMGPop founder and Zynga have some history screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=224283Liam Fisherhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Liam+FisherNCsoft bows out of E3, probably playing Farmville instead2012-03-21T17:00:00Z2012-03-21T17:00:00Z<p>I know you folks are starting to compile your own personal lists of who will or won't be in attendance at E3 this year, right? Well it seems you can definitely count on seeing Zynga there, so go ahead and breathe a sigh of relief. A few others though, will <em>not</em>&nbsp;be making an official appearance.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Atari and NCsoft have both confirmed that they will not have a booth this year. NCsoft, with <em>Guild Wars 2</em>&nbsp;launching in the near future, stated that their focus will be on events that let them connect directly with gamers, not the press. That's a totally justifiable decision seeing as the press is already in love with <em><a href="https://www.destructoid.com/guild-wars-2-isn-t-like-any-mmo-you-ve-played-before-222175.phtml">Guild Wars 2</a>. </em>As for Atari, it's just not their scene anymore.&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/224283-Header.jpg" alt="NCsoft bows out of E3, probably playing Farmville instead screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/ncsoft-bows-out-of-e3-probably-playing-farmville-instead-224283.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=224299Conrad Zimmermanhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Conrad+ZimmermanZynga has bought OMGPop, developer of Draw Something2012-03-21T16:45:00Z2012-03-21T16:45:00Z<p>In a conference call today, social gaming megalith Zynga has announced the acquisition of OMGPop, the developer responsible for the wildly popular <em>Draw Something</em>&nbsp;for iOS devices. According to a post at the Wall Street Journal (as reported by Joystiq), Zynga shelled out $200 million for the company whose staff will be joining the Zynga New York studio.&nbsp;</p>
<p>This <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/productivity-takes-a-blow-as-zynga-buys-drop7-developer-192384.phtml">continues</a> <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-bought-up-four-mobile-gaming-companies-219935.phtml">the pattern</a> of Zynga buying up anything honing in on their market. They could very well have just made their own variant of the&nbsp;<em>Pictionary</em> game, of course, but why bother when you have piles of cash lying around and a great product already exists?</p>
<p><a href="https://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/21/wsj-zynga-buys-draw-something-dev-for-200-million/" target="_blank">Zynga buys Draw Something dev OMGPOP</a> [Joystiq]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/224299-hd.jpg" alt="Zynga has bought OMGPop, developer of Draw Something screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=222804Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingFacebook gaming drops in popularity (what a shock!)2012-02-27T13:15:00Z2012-02-27T13:15:00Z<p>While some pundits assumed <a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/elephant/?t=Facebook&amp;tab=1">Facebook gaming</a> was set to take over the world, the latest figures show that such distractions have become less popular over time. In 2010, roughly half of all Facebook users jumped on such titles as <em>Farmville</em> and <em>That Other One</em>, whereas 2011 saw only 25%.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Researchers are citing smartphone competition, the demand for less casual and more skill-oriented software, and the difficulty in attracting users as contributing factors for the drop.&nbsp;</p>
<p>I can't say the decline surprises me at all. When you appeal to Facebook users, you're trying to gain the attention of the easily distracted and the perpetually bored (that's <em>why</em> we all have Facebook). It's hardly surprising that such users cannot be relied upon in the long term. I also don't doubt that the sheer volume of developers hopping aboard the bandwagon choked the market a little, and now we have more studios than ever fighting over users that won't stick around for long. That's not a sustainable market, as far as I can tell.&nbsp;</p>
<p>While the potential for social gaming is still an intriguing prospect, I think appealing solely to the fad crowd is a bad idea. There are some genuinely good game ideas hitting the platform, and we need to see more of those, rather than a dozen studios trying to be the next Zynga.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/facebook-gaming-on-the-decline-2/091844">Facebook gaming on the decline</a> [MCV]</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/222804-header.jpg" alt="Facebook gaming drops in popularity (what a shock!) screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=220720Max Scovillehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Max+ScovilleThe DTOID Show: Fat Mega Man, bad Zynga & Ace Attorney 52012-01-30T21:19:00Z2012-01-30T21:19:00Z<p><span><!-- jEmbed JS API-->
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<p><span>Hey guys! We're back again. With a show for your faceholes.</span></p>
<p>Remember last week when social gaming behemoth Zynga got busted for ripping off an indie iOS title? Well, <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/cloning-continues-zynga-accused-of-copying-another-game-220646.phtml">it happened again</a>. We've got some good news too: Capcom is putting <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/man-up-pac-man-and-mega-man-in-street-fighter-x-tekken-220433.phtml">Pac-Man and ugly Mega Man</a> in <em>Street Fighter X Tekken, <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/ace-attorney-5-is-happening--220573.phtml">Ace Attorney 5</a></em> is a thing, <em>Monster Hunter</em> is <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/sony-exec-monster-hunter-vita-scheduled-for-this-year-220632.phtml%20">coming to the PS Vita</a>, Square Enix is <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/square-enix-secret-team-working-on-an-unannounced-title-220644.phtml%20">working on some secret projects</a>, and-- WHOA COOL! <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/solidus-snake-figure-lookin-hot-meryl-not-so-much-220588.phtml">New <em>Metal Gear Solid</em> toys!</a></p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/220720-DTOID--261--HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: Fat Mega Man, bad Zynga & Ace Attorney 5 screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=220646Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthCloning continues: Zynga accused of copying another game2012-01-30T13:00:00Z2012-01-30T13:00:00Z<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.destructoid.com/zynga-rips-off-tiny-tower-gets-called-out-by-devs-220310.phtml">Last week the internet gave Zynga sh*t</a> for biting a bit too much off&nbsp;<em>Tiny Towers</em> for their new game <em>Dream Heights</em>. As you'd imagine, NimbleBit, a three-person company, was not pleased to see that the social gaming monster had stolen from them. Keep in mind that Zynga had previously tried to buy up NimbleBit. Shameless!</p>
<p>Now the fun continues with a new accusation from Buffalo Studios. They feel that <em>Zynga Bingo</em> looks a lot like their <em>Bingo Blitz</em>. A graphic shows a side-by-side view of the two games, and in it Buffalo shows just how similar the two games are.&nbsp;</p>
<p>"Please tell your thousands of&nbsp;employees&nbsp;and shareholders that we hope they enjoy playing the games we're cooking up next," zings Buffalo in the graphic.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Did Zynga not consider that <em>Bingo Blitz</em> has 1 million daily players, and that someone might notice? I guess they are at the point that they can clone whatever they would like to.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://venturebeat.com/2012/01/29/buffalo-studios-blasts-zynga-for-copying-bingo-blitz-social-game/">Buffalo Studios blasts Zynga for copying Bingo Blitz social&nbsp;game</a> [GamesBeat]</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/220646-ccc.jpg" alt="Cloning continues: Zynga accused of copying another game screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/cloning-continues-zynga-accused-of-copying-another-game-220646.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=220368Max Scovillehttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Max+ScovilleThe DTOID Show: LEGO Minecraft, Blizzcon, & Xbox 720?!2012-01-25T22:41:00Z2012-01-25T22:41:00Z<p><span><!-- jEmbed JS API-->
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<p>Hey gang! We're back with our usual tri-weekly revelry, and today the news is all hot and stinky. Er. Exciting.</p>
<p>For starters,<a href="https://www.destructoid.com/no-blizzcon-in-2012-convention-returns-in-2013-220317.phtml"> Blizzcon is cancelled</a>. Blizzard is gonna have a big pro-gaming tournament in Asia, but no. No night elf dance contest this year, sorry kids. I'm angry that <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/so-lego-minecraft-is-really-happening-220290.phtml">LEGO <em>Minecraft</em> sets are actually a thing</a>, because I like my digital blocks digital and my analog blocks analog. Some wacky new rumors are flapping around in the night, including the <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/rumor-next-xbox-to-be-six-times-more-powerful-220312.phtml%20%20">Xbox 720's specs,</a> as well as Microsoft's <a href="%20https:/www.destructoid.com/rumor-microsoft-points-to-be-phased-out-of-xbox-live-220243.phtml%20">plans to phase out Microsoft Points.</a>&nbsp;In other news,<a href="%20https:/www.destructoid.com/zynga-rips-off-tiny-tower-gets-called-out-by-devs-220310.phtml%20%20"> Zynga is The Devil</a> and Marc Pincus would be drinking your neck juices right now if they weren't safely stored inside your neck.</p>
<p>Also, does our ridiculous show cause you to get a moistness in your loins? Well, if you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, bring your moist lil' loins over to our LIVE show, with Playstation Vitas everywhere, next week. <a href="https://www.destructoid.com/the-destructoid-show-live-in-san-francisco-on-february-3--220287.p">Details here.</a></p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/220368-DTOID258-HEADER.jpg" alt="The DTOID Show: LEGO Minecraft, Blizzcon, & Xbox 720?! screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=220310Jim Sterlinghttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Jim+SterlingZynga rips off Tiny Tower, gets called out by devs2012-01-25T08:00:00Z2012-01-25T08:00:00Z<p>Zynga appears to have given up on copying its own games over and over, and has moved on to the straightforward plagiarizing of other peoples' work. <em>Dream Heights</em> is <em>Tiny Tower</em> to the core, the only difference being Zynga's inferior artistic direction.&nbsp;</p>
<p><em>Tiny Tower</em>'s developer, Nimblebit, has noticed the similarities and called out the 2,789-strong company in a wonderfully sarcastic way.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Zynga's relatively short history already has a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zynga#Intellectual_property" target="_blank">laundry list of legal tussles</a> relating to intellectual property rights, seeing it on both the defense and offense. Like many successful game companies, it will protect its own rights doggedly, but has no problem shamelessly copying everybody else. Apparently that's how you get ahead.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Stay classy, Zynga!</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/220310-header.jpg" alt="Zynga rips off Tiny Tower, gets called out by devs screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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<a target="_blank" href="http://www.destructoid.com/zynga-rips-off-tiny-tower-gets-called-out-by-devs-220310.phtml">Read more...</a>tag:https://www.destructoid.com/,2016:/post.phtml?pk=219935Dale Northhttp://www.destructoid.com/blogs/Dale+NorthZynga bought up four mobile gaming companies2012-01-19T10:15:00Z2012-01-19T10:15:00Z<p>Zynga says that they've&nbsp;purchased&nbsp;four mobile game companies to get into the smartphone and tablet action. Sums paid for each studio were not disclosed.</p>
<p>Mobile exec David Ko told <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/18/us-zynga-idUSTRE80H24V20120118">Reuters</a> that they picked up German game maker Gamedoctors, maker sof ZombieSmash, last December. Before that they bought the makers of the mobile version of World of Goo, Page44 Studios, back in September. The buying of mobile companies&nbsp;actually&nbsp;started in August 2011 with the acquisition of both San Francisco-based HipLogic and New York's Astro Ape Studios.</p>
<p>It's obvious that Zynga is looking to expand beyond Facebook get into your phone and tablet. They went public in December and now have to do <em>something</em>.&nbsp;</p> <p>
<img src="http://bulk2.destructoid.com/ul/219935-Zynga.jpg" alt="Zynga bought up four mobile gaming companies screenshot" width="620" border="0" />
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